# NTSB IAD97LA107: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1, N278PL, Slatington, PA, August 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 1997, 22:58 local (Aug 10, 1997, 02:58 UTC) - Place: Slatington, PA - Coordinates: 40.749534, -75.610282 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7495&lon=-75.6103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28222 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28222/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA107 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/ preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - terrain condition - none suitable - object - pole ## Analysis The pilot descended from 3,500 feet MSL to 1,500 feet, circled the airport for 15 minutes as he was unable to activate the runway lights. He decided to climb to 2,500 feet, and he diverted to another airport, but shortly thereafter, the engine lost power. During the forced landing to a lighted, golf course, the airplane collided with a telephone pole, and descended to the ground. He had refueled the airplane with 19.4 gallons. According to the FAA, examination of the wreckage revealed 4 ounces of fuel in the fuel tanks, and the carburetor was empty. The total capacity of the fuel tanks was 20.3 gallons, the useable fuel was 19.5 gallons, and the fuel consumption was 3.8 gallons per hour. The flight had been airborne for over 4 hours 43 minutes. The pilot said there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented if proper reserve, diversion, and emergency procedures were followed. A functional test of the airport lights was performed after the accident, and they operated satisfactory. According to the FAA, this was the pilot's first flight to this airport. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 1997, at 2258 eastern daylight time, a Diamond DA 20-A1, N278PL, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a forced landing near Slatington, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at 1815. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and a visual flight rules flight plan was not filed. The pilot was on a trip from Florida to Pennsylvania. The flight had been airborne for over 4 hours 43 minutes. At his destination, he descended from 3,500 feet MSL to 1,500 feet, and circled the airport for about 15 minutes as he was unable to activate the runway lights. He decided to climb to 2,500 feet and divert to another airport, but the engine lost power. A forced landing was performed to a lighted, golf course. During the landing, the airplane struck a telephone pole, and descended to the ground. According to the pilot, he stopped in South Carolina where he topped off the fuel tanks with 19.4 gallons of fuel. He said his trip was uneventful, and when he arrived at his destination, neither the airport lights nor the rotating beacon was visible. He circled the airport five times, and as he added power to climb, the engine lost power. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, examination of the wreckage revealed that the total capacity of the fuel tanks was 20.3 gallons, the usable fuel was 19.5 gallons, and the fuel consumption was 3.8 gallons per hour. The examination also revealed 4 ounces of fuel in the fuel tanks, and the carburetor was empty. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented if the airport lights functioned properly. He also said that improper emergency procedures in regard to fuel, reserve and diversion were contributing factors. A functional test of the airport lights was performed after the accident, and they operated satisfactory. According to the FAA this was the pilot's first flight to this airport. A review of 14 CFR Part 91.151 revealed: "(a) No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless...there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed - ...(2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes..." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N278PL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N278PL-2003-04-28), registration cancelled 2003-04-28, S/N 10278, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1 - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-A1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-a1) (registry code 2990000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10278 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Interstate Aircraft Sls & Leas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: CRE, N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Destination: 69N, PA - Airport: 69N, Slatington ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 190 total, 10 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 240° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABE, 12 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970809021489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970809021489A), Aug 9, 1997: Diamon DA20A1, Slatington, PA, Substantial damage. On August 9, 1997, at 2258 eastern daylight time, a diamond da 20-A1, N278PL, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a forced landing… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.